Early People of the Aegean Minoan Civilization

Based on the island of Crete, named after King Minos

2000- 1400 B.C.E.

Powerful civilization, dominated Mediterranean trade Produced beautiful pottery

Characterized by palace cities, extensive trade networks with Egypt and Mesopotamia and sophisticated artwork Rulers lived in a palace at

Knossos

Traded not only good but culture: unique architectural style, burial customs, and religious rituals Traded with Egypt and

Phoenicia

Minoan Social Order

Centered on ruler, which was reflected in layout King’s palace was always at

center

Served as political, economic, and cultural focal point Knossos the most important

palace in Crete

Women held important religious positions

Culture of Minoans

Rooms for royal family and religious shrines. Covered with beautiful

frescoes. Reflect importance of sea

and religion.

Trade flourished due to its favorable geographic position. Traded with Egypt – cultural

diffusion

Cultural influences and important raw materials came from Egypt and Mesopotamia.

Mysterious End

Civilization ends around 1200 B.C.E.

Unclear why Natural disaster?

1700 B.C.E. – earthquake 1470 B.C.E.- earthquake,

volcano reflection Overpopulation? Invaders?

Civilization lingers after 1470 B.C.E. but never powerful again

Mycenaean Civilization

Indo-Europeans 2000 B.C.E.

Location Steep, rocky ridge Surrounded by

protective wall Could withstand

almost any attack Warrior-king

Lots of weapons found at Mycenaean sites

Controlled trade in Aegean and Ionian Seas

Mycenaean Civilization

Culture and Trade Luxurious lifestyle for

nobles and Kings Strong culture led by

wealthy warrior-Kings Buried with treasures Bronze weapons, gold

cups Invaded Crete and other

nearby cities Cultural diffusion

Minoan sailing Minoan writing system art

Mycenaean Civilization

Trojan War 1200 B.C.E.

10 year war with Troy (Anatolia) Legend of Helen

Thought to be fictional 1870 C.E. Heinrich

Schliemann finds Troy

Struggle over waterways and trade

Greek Culture Declines under the Dorians

Dorians Mycenaean civilization

collapsed after war Moved into war-torn

countryside

Spoke Greek Far less advanced than

Mycenaean's

Economy collapsed Writing stopped from 1150-

750 B.C.E. Period of decline

Commerce and Colonization

Period of 750 to 600 B.C.E = intense population growth

Colonization expanded from Black Sea to across Mediterranean

Led to expansion of trade Greek merchants sold

wine and olive oil

Money economy replaced traditional barter system Swapping goods

for one another

Persians Emerged around 612 B.C.E.

between the Persian Gulf and the Caspian Sea

Led by Cyrus the Great Expanded empire over 2000

miles Was a military genius Legacy

Method of governing Showed kindness and

compassion towards conquered peoples

Honored local customs and religions

Persian Rule and Culture

After Cyrus’ death, kingdom led by Darius

Darius’ achievements Empire administration

Divided empire into 20 provinces

Each province still practiced own religion, spoke own language, and followed own laws

Still ruled with absolute power through Satraps

Governors who ruled locally Called Imperial

bureaucracy

Standardized Money Created metal coins of

a standard value Promoted trade

Royal Road Road system that

unified and linked empire

Over 1,677 miles

Persian Religion

Zoroastrianism Created by a prophet

named Zoroaster around 600 B.C.E.

Taught two spiritual armies fought for control of a person’s soul

God of light, god of darkness

Monotheistic? Encourage to follow

God of Light

Beliefs People controlled own fate Final judgment at death

Paradise or underworld

Collection of holy writings called Avesta

Influenced many world religions Judaism, Christianity,

Islam Spread into India